I've been in the market for a new car stereo for a while. Specifically, since my Alpine 7903 CD player died, over a decade ago. Then something miraculous happened. I got a pocket pc-a Hewlett-Packard unit-that had a Windows operating system, and included Windows media player. Since my car tape player worked fine, I simply acquired a tape adapter. And you know what? Everything sounded fine. Especially since I have MB Quart component speakers (but they are pretty old), with titanium dome tweeters. Sadly, the stock tape deck started giving up the ghost, as well, and I couldn't resist the deal I saw at Best Buy on this unit (AND I had a gift card!).
--------------------------------------Even More Background!-----------------
Let's go back a little further. During my senior year of high school, my friends and I started to delve into the world of cars and car stereos. We hung out at "CJ's" in Harbor City, drove along the "locals only" beach-front strip in Redondo Beach, trying to impress chicks, and, occasionally, played mind games with cops trying to bust us for "excessive noise." Anyways, ours was the world of "pull-out" stereos (remember those?), Cerwin-Vega subwoofers, Alpine, Kenwood, and Sony everything, and we read Car Audio & Electronics magazine, from cover-to-cover. I didn't have a lot of money, but I ended up with a mid-high-end Sony pullout tape deck, as well (all-digital!!!) Add to that, Alpine component speakers (with SILK diaphragm tweeters!!!), a couple of Alpine amps, and a Cerwin-Vega subwoofer! I also managed to get a slick Sony digital equalizer, with spectrum display. I used to carry 2 pull-outs around with me everywhere, as well as 60 CDs in 2 Case Logic cases. This was the golden age of car stereos (and when I could hear a h*** of whole lot better!).
Enter: 1991. My car got stolen. It was found in an alley, but 90% of the audio equipment was gone, including 60 CDs. So I had to start over, with just the 2 pull-outs, and an Alpine amp that wasn't being used at the time. I got the MB Quart speakers, which were slightly lacking the silky-smoothness of the Alpines, but still sonically superb, and reentered sonic heaven.
---------------------------------------Back to the Future----------------
(By the way, that was a good movie!)
My stock tape player kept ejecting my tape adapter, and the pocket pc would stutter on some digital files. These two developments were the "death knell" for the old stock unit, so I yanked it out, and put the shiny KDC-MP435U in its place.
The unit is a stylish black, with green illumination. The buttons are small, but functional, and I found the main control knob to be a bit stubby and short, but adequate. There is an ergonomic remote control, that controls most features, including "mute," and a button for activating the optional hands-free bluetooth speakerphone function. It comes with a soft carry bag for the faceplate, with a sliding ball on the lanyard that very reliably keeps the faceplate from falling out. There are buttons for attenuation ("mute"), pause (CD & MP3/WMA/AAC), tuner and a file selection button, the multipurpose control knob, and buttons for selecting different file selection modes, random play, and display modes. It has a MOSFET 50 Watt X 4 (maximum) power amplifier, 3 RCA pre-outs (for external amplifiers, equalizers, etc., "USB Direct Control" (of Ipods, via an optional wire), and direct entry of radio stations.
Installation was a BREEZE. I kept putting it off because, even though I've been building computers for a while (which is more complicated and tedious, in several regards), I really wasn't looking forward to messing with all those wires again (especially in such a cramped space!). I had to cut off the wires from the wiring harnesses (leaving enough length of wire to strip some insulation off), and obtain a wiring diagram from a friend that owns an auto shop (the user manual for my 1995 Nissan Sentra does NOT have this), using software called "On Demand"--I was NOT able to find a usable diagram on the web, despite an exhaustive search. I wanted to be SURE that I was not about to blow up my new stereo, so I checked several different years' worth of diagrams, and compared the wiring, which is all color-coded and, luckily, Nissan didn't change much, for about 6 years. So when I was ready, I crimped the wires together. If you do NOT want to do this, you can obtain a car-specific wiring harness from http://www.crutchfield.com for about $10, or get one from Ebay for about $6, shipped.If you want the Nissan (almost any model car, 95-99) wiring diagram, just let me know, and I'll e-mail it to you.
Prior to that, I simply pulled the trim off from the center console, being careful not to leave any deep scratches, and removed 4 screws holding the air conditioner controls and stereo in place--there are just a few clips (5 or so). I then removed 4-6 screws that were holding the old stereo in the stock "cage," pulled it out, and put the Kenwood in its place, using the Nissan-specific screws provided by Kenwood (there were also some Toyota-specific ones). I then proceeded to crimp the wires together, as noted, above, screwed the entire assembly back into the center console, and popped the trim back into place. The total installation time was about 90 minutes (having been cautiously patient), spread out over 2 days, but with all the right diagrams and tools, I could've done it in 35 minutes--I used a volt testing tool to identify the constantly-on, ignition wires, and so on. I then fired it up, and it pumped sweet music to the MB Quart speakers, as well as 2 stock ones in the back, via the wiring harness. I should note that the unit could almost pass for stock, fitting snuggly in the space, with no gaps, and I was able to leave the storage cubby.
This thing is FEATURE-PACKED! Too bad it's not simpler to use, though. And the specs look GREAT on paper--especially the 105 dB signal-to-noise ratio for CDs. It has the usual AM/FM stereo, with the ability to automatically find and assign the strongest local stations (say, when you're traveling), many presets, and the ability to tune in HD (FREE!) radio, albeit with an optional box (about $160), as well as the optional Satellite radio-tuning capability (XM or Sirius, not sure about both simultaneously), and (also about a $150 option) the ability to use your entire car stereo as a hands-free bluetooth speakerphone for your bluetooth cellular phone. As if all that weren't enough, the unit has a BUILT-IN subwoofer crossover, which cuts off the low frequencies (at 60, 80, 100, 120, and 160 Hz), whether or not you have a subwoofer and subwoofer amplifier attached, to the front AND rear speakers, and there is a selectable option to offset the volume for your subwoofer. AND you can also control an Ipod device (generations 1-6), with an optional connector (which I got FREE, due to a promotion), and there is a (rear) auxilary input, which I simply routed, via an extension cable, close to my passenger seat. I did not test the Ipod cable, and just plan to sell it at this point. I also didn't acquire the other optional equipment.
----------------------------Why Doesn't This Sound as Good as My Computer?-----------------
We have been spoiled. Of course, I had high expectations, what with the premium equipment I played with as a young "lad." So I was a bit disappointed when I inserted my Sandisk 2Gb U3 USB flash drive into the neat USB port (1.1/2.0-compatible, FAT 16/32 file system), which has a clear, hinged, closeable cover. The unit started loading the list of songs right away, and played the first one. It didn't seem to sound as good as my computer, which, I should mention, benefits from a Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS GAMER edition sound card (read about it at the tail-end of my Windows Vista Home Premium review), and Creative FPS Cambridge Soundworks 4.1 speakers--the speakers are about 8 years old, but still sound fantastic! I also have DVD-Audio playing capabilities, and a FANTASTICToshiba HD-DVD high-definition DVD player (blue laser), with 96 KHz sound! In my car, I have just the 5.25" midrange speakers, the 3/4" tweeters, and the 5" full-range, stock speakers in the back, right now, but it gets loud enough to make my ears ring, even with only the front speakers. With the ability to adjust not only the bass and the treble, but, also, the middle frequencies, as well as an optional loudness (from the menu), and 4 preset equalization levels, there is a LOT of tweaking necessary to get a satisfactory sound, because, especially with digital files (including downloaded, as well as those I ripped myself, which I usually do at 192 Khz, with 128 Khz only acceptable if the song isn't available any higher), it sounds very bright, and I find myself turning the midrange adjustment almost all the way down. Connecting the rear speakers (which are probably about to crack, given their age, and that they've been sitting there, unused and baking under the sun, for (gasp!) more than 2 decades, did help to balance out the sound, when the bass wasn't causing one to bottom-out. And I mostly find myself using the "Natural" equalization presetting. Some digital files sound quite good, but I think I can only make a fair comparison to, both, my computer audio, as well as my past audio systems, once I get a subwoofer hooked up, and it may be time to replace all the speakers. The CD player sounds a bit flat, but cleaner, and I have come to generalize CD sound this way, as I've become FAR more accustomed to digital, compressed (and uncompressed, lossless) sound, over the past 10 years, --it uses a 1-bit digital audio converter. Some of the digital files sound over-processed, at times--it might have something to do with the "Digital Time Alignment SRS WOW HD" technology used, or the dubious origin of some of the files; the CD player sounds cleaner. There is no electrical interference, or "whine"--at all. I will have to do some more testing, and update the review, but it would be unfair to compare this with the GEE-WHIZ technology in the average Soundblaster card, let alone my higher-end processing powerhouse, or the much more difficult acoustics in a mobile environment, and it might not be audible, were you to use only external amplifiers.
The unit comes with somewhat of a steep learning curve, and I can't exactly call the operation practical AND intuitive, but it is mostly "intuitive." My main issue is that, the bass, mid, and treble controls, as well as the fader, balance, and equalization, are not quickly accessible--rather, you must keep pushing the control knob, until you get there, and you can't even control the volume (except via the "mute" button), while you are adjusting any of these. There have been times when I had to answer a phone call, and I couldn't adjust the volume quickly enough (even through the remote), and that was a bit frustrating. Pressing the knob in, it will display, in the following order, subwoofer level, equalizer mode, bass, midrange, treble, balance, and fader controls. So it is "intuitive," in that you can immediately adjust the 3 frequency settings, right after choosing an equalization mode, but impractical in that you can't quickly adjust each, but must go forward through the menu, while driving. And the knob can get touchy--because pressing it, in certain random selection modes, will cause it to seek out the next, random music file. You can, however, click the knob down, to return to the previous song and or folder. Pressing the knob left and right goes through the songs in a single folder, or audio CD. In "random folder" mode, pushing it up will select a random folder. Holding the knob, left or right, will fast-forward, or reverse, through a song. You can directly enter the song or folder number, or manually go through the folders. You can also randomly select a file within a folder. And there is an "intro scan" function, which will play the first 5 seconds of each song, on a audio/MP3 CD, or USB device.
----------------------------More on that "Control Knob" Thingie----------------------------
Holding the control knob in for at least 2 seconds takes you into another menu (seems like another world!), and you can change many general aspects of the unit here. You can turn the "loudness" control on or off (and you must go into this menu to change it); activate the "supreme audio" mode, which enhances low-bitrate digital files, 96 Khz or less; turn on or off a blinking security light, which warns thieves that the unit won't operate without a matched faceplate and the security code (when the faceplate has been removed); reset the security code; and independently change the front and rear subwoofer low-pass cutoff frequencies, as well as choose the subwoofer frequency you want to boost with the "level" control.
This thing is handy, has really good ergonomics, and helps to keep your hands on the steering wheel--it also helps compensate for the short, stubby control knob. There are play/pause, mute, forward, reverse, AM/FM, source, up/down adjustment, 1-10 alphanumerical entry buttons, Direct/OK button, as well as the bluetooth activation button. I'm able to operate it, even with a coffee mug obscuring the right-most of 2 cupholders, directly in front of the unit, and it has rubbery/grippy buttons. Oh--and my toddler LOVES choosing songs from her car seat in the back (a little "power trip" for her, I guess).
--------------------------------So What Else Can It Do?------------------------------------
The faceplate removes, very easily, via a button in the upper-left corner. The faceplate then protrudes at an angle, enabling the driver to pull it off. It reattaches very easily, and the unit automatically resumes playing whatever it was, at the exact location it was (save for the radio, of course), unless it was a USB device. Inserting a USB device, however, also causes it to resume playing at the last-played point. I found that to be a painless and very welcome feature. It also has a "demonstration" mode, which cycles through several features, showing off your unit.
-------------------------------It's All About the USB!------------------------
I was able to connect my computer's accessory multi card reader (it supports ones that read up to 5 different card types), and read from 1 and 2 gigabyte compact flash cards, and, presumably, any external "USB Mass storage device." You could connect TERABYTES of music, if you want, just shuffling your portable hard drive from your house. Don't like your hard drive's music? Just borrow your friends', and make it a "hard drive road trip" (I can see the movie trailer now). It can take FOREVER to find the ONE song you want, though, positively correlated with the size of your card, so I recommend either using a smaller card (128-256 Mb should be fine--enough to carry a lot of music, shuffled as often as you want, but not so large as to find yourself at your destination, by the time you found the song you want), or loading it up with ONLY the music you're sure you want to hear. I believe you can also search by specifying a title via text entry on the remote (I don't know why else one would need the letters on the remote), but I haven't tried this. It's simple enough to use Windows Media Player 11 to automatically shuffle your music, by genre, year, favorites, etc. And playlists are reportedly not supported with Ipods. I did hook up my Pocket PC to the auxilary input, and the music seemed to sound the same as the USB ones, although it was being input at a lower level (and it may've sounded a bit cleaner). And there is a way for the unit to display the ID3 Tag information (song title & author), but I wasn't able to get it to stay in that mode. It also has the ability to connect and control a CD changer unit.
I haven't spent a lot of time with the radio, but I did need something to check the traffic, weather, and to check out new music, on occasion. It sounds as great as I'd expected, compared to past systems, and there are 24 presets (18 FM/6 AM), and the aforementioned ability to memorize the strongest local signals. The jog dial is used to find stations.
The display is almost impossible to see in direct sunlight, which is a rare occurence, heading away from a sunset or sunrise, at just the "wrong" angle. It does dim when the headlights are activated, and, although it is supposed to be adjustable, via your vehicle's dimmer control, I was not able to get this to work. And it also has a static display of the equalization mode. My car is old, and does vibrate, reaching a "resonant frequency," which shakes the steering wheel. This causes a buzz in the unit, at times, though I've become completely acclimated to this (and I can probably apply something to help absorb it). And moving the control knob causes the faceplate to shift a bit, at times. This might be a general issue with removeable faceplates, but it's a new one to me. I don't fear that it'll break or fall off, but it just feels a tad bit flimsy.
I like this unit, but I feel that I need to spend a LOT more time getting it just the way I want. I will say that I've had some earaches and congestion, since having this unit, so it may've thrown off my assessment of the sound (though not enough to see a doctor), and that my speakers are old. They sounded fine with my pocket pc playing through a tape adapter, but here we are dealing with quite a bit more sound processing, as well as "magnified sound" (through the 200 Watts of power). I was encouraged by the balancing out of the sound when I hooked up the rear, stock speakers (even though they are by no means "audiophile"), and I predict that the system will sound incredible once I hook up a subwoofer. The feature set you get, especially for the price, is phenomenal, but it would likely be cheaper overall to get a higher-end unit, with the options already included. I was mainly bothered by the burying of the sound adjustment controls, and the inability to quickly adjust each one, as well as the volume. And if you lose the faceplate, just contact Kenwood, with your proof-of-purchase, security code, etc., and you can purchase a replacement.
The manufacturer's product page, with complete specifications, is at http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entertainment/2007_Car_Entertainment/KDC-MP435U.
Update--
I found out that you can quickly get back to the default display, where you can adjust the volume, simply by pressing the menu button, located by the faceplate release button. I also connected a subwoofer (in a regular home speaker case) to one of the rear inputs, and stuck it in the trunk. I get quite a lot of bass now, just using the head unit's amp, and that is pumping through to an 8 ohm speaker (reduces the wattage going through, compared to 4 ohm speakers). Of course, it sounds quite a lot more balanced, and I'm always finding new features--like how to get it to display the song/artist IDTag info. Now figuring out how to get back to the clock display is going to require another trip to the manual, and I wish there was a quick way to display both, or switch inbetween them. And I've realized that the CD sound IS fuller/cleaner than the digital files, and the unit has never skipped, despite me having a racing suspension with an Eibach Pro lowering springs and KYB gas shocks--a fairly firm setup. The remote is almost REQUIRED, however (at least in my firm-riding car), as it's too easy to push the control knob just one too many times, or to not push it in directly centered, and to, instead, move it up, down, or to a side. Other than that, it's great--especially in the features-to-price ratio!
A SECRET!!! (Update II)
I've finally figured out some of the more mysterious features, as well as at least one secret! I've recovered the clock display, but the shocker was that the manual indicates to use a USB flash drive with a (USB) extension cord! In the store, the salesman demonstrated it by plugging a flash drive directly into it, and I've always done it this way, with no problems. However, I have found the flash drive to be a bit warm, at times (especially on warmer days). You're also supposed to hold down the "eject" button for 2 seconds, to "safely remove" the USB device (I believe this goes for Ipods, as well). If you ever remove a USB device without selecting "safely remove" or "eject"-on any computer-you risk data loss. I sometimes just eject the whole faceplate with the USB drive still inserted--either removing it later, or sliding it back on with the USB drive attached. Bottom line is--if you plan to not use an extension cord or "safely remove" your drive, then make sure everything of importance on the drive is backed-up somewhere else; you might also render your flash drive completely useless. This model also doesn't include Kenwood's playlist editing software for computers (last time I checked), as the higher-end models have. To my knowledge, you also cannot use playlists created with other software (like Windows Media Player). This is not a big deal for me, as my main interest is being able to randomly shuffle 1,000's of songs.
I've also verified that regular CD's sound even better than I thought (fuller and richer) than flash drive-based files (although uncompressed WAV and VBR (variable bit rate) WMA files should sound identical or close, in theory, and your mileage will vary, depending on exactly how the digital file was encoded). And files played through the audio input cable from my pocket computer also seem to sound better (it's a Hewlett-Packard Jornada 548), but not as good as CDs. All of the digital playback options sound superb, however. Note that my hearing seems to have improved-even after nearly rupturing my eardrum last summer in a boogie-boarding accident-so my assessments are more conclusive and (hopefully) useful.
I've gotten more used to the controls, as well. Specifically, I've learned that using the thumbprint area to press the control knob-rather than the tip of the thumb (or any finger)-is much more effective in scrolling through the main audio options, avoiding unwanted selections and frustration. Before I'd discovered this, the remote was virtually required to make these adjustments while driving.
I also believe it sounds pretty incredible for an all-in-one unit, even driving an 8-Ohm subwoofer on 1 of the rear channels, once you have found the right balance in the settings. For me, this essentially involves leaving the front/rear fader at the "0" (center) level, and sometimes up to halfway on the positive side. Some songs still lack enough bass, but I think it has more to do with the ripping/encoding settings than anything else. And if it sounds this good with the built-in amp, and 18 year-old speakers, I can only imagine how it'd sound with updated speakers and separate, discrete amplifiers! I'm very satisfied with the current setup, and am sometimes amazed with the bass.
Overall: 4.5 stars (which will remain rounded down to "4")
For some interesting travel pics and related activities, check out my profile, HERE.
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